PSE is helping Washington State Ferries (WSF) spread the word about upcoming work that impacts Bainbridge Island ferry passengers. Beginning Thursday, September 7 at 1 a.m. through Wednesday, September 13 at 3 a.m., WSF will close drive-on passenger service between Bainbridge Island and Seattle. This includes vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and electric scooters. WSF will use a one-boat sailing schedule and only load walk-on and ADA passengers via the existing pedestrian walkway at the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal. WSF anticipates that the number of walk-on passengers will increase during this time and will have more staff available to help walk-on passengers.
If you need to drive during this time, plan ahead to use one of these alternate routes:
- Edmonds/Kingston ferry
- Seattle/Bremerton ferry
- Kitsap fast ferry from Bremerton to Seattle (walk-on service)
This closure is necessary so crews can lift new pedestrian walkway structures into place on their concrete and steel pilings. As shown in the graphic above, crews need the entire vehicle holding area to be able to receive and stage the four large bridge spans.
This work is part of WSF’s project to replace the existing overhead wooden walkway at the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal. The Seattle – Bainbridge Island ferry run is the busiest for walk-on passengers in WSF’s system. Because the existing walkway is more than 50 years old, WSF is installing a new steel-fortified walkway anchored by concrete and steel columns. The new walkway will be wider, safer, and built to current seismic code.
WSF recognizes the challenges this poses for ferry passengers and is scheduling this work in as short timeframe as possible to minimize impacts on the public. For more information about WSF’s project, this closure, bicycle storage, and parking and walking options, please visit their website.
For information about PSE’s partnership with WSF to electrify eight ferry terminals in our service area starting with the Bainbridge terminal, visit our project website.